The Crown Prince's Wedding: A Glimpse into the Lives of People Amidst the Grand Feast
On the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, an auspicious day, the entire capital was bathed in an almost boiling atmosphere of celebration. From the palace to the imperial street, ten miles of red processions stretched out, banners fluttered, and the sounds of bells, drums, and ceremonial music filled the air. The Crown Prince's wedding was a grand national ceremony, far surpassing the scale and solemnity of the previous two princes' weddings on the same day.
The wedding procession from the Eastern Palace to the Xu residence stretched for miles, its regalia magnificent. Crown Prince Zhao Jingchen, dressed in a black and crimson robe and a nine-tasseled crown, his face serene, yet his eyes were brighter and sharper than usual. Seated atop his tall imperial horse, surrounded by civil and military officials and cheered by thousands of people, he personally proceeded to the Grand Tutor's residence to fetch his Crown Princess. At this moment, he was not only the groom, but also the future master of this empire; his marriage was inextricably linked to the fate of the nation.
Inside the Xu residence, Xu Nianchu, adorned in her phoenix coronet and wedding gown, made her final adjustments to her appearance with the help of her sisters. Her crimson wedding dress, embroidered with soaring golden phoenixes, was exquisitely beautiful and solemn. Qin Yuti adjusted her phoenix coronet, Shen Anci straightened the tassels of her wedding gown, and Liu Mianying quietly slipped her a small, delicate jade ruyi to weigh down her skirt, whispering, "Sister Nianchu, may you be safe and sound." Xu Nianchu took a deep breath, tears glistening in her eyes, but she suppressed them with a graceful smile. She clenched her sisters' hands, everything understood without words. When the Crown Prince's wedding procession arrived, supported by her father and brothers, she bid farewell to the ancestral temple and stepped onto the phoenix palanquin, a symbol of supreme glory. Her back was straight, each step steady and firm, already displaying the bearing of an empress.
The wedding ceremony was held in the square in front of the Taiji Hall of the Imperial Palace. Civil and military officials stood solemnly according to their rank, while noblewomen, dressed in their finest attire, eagerly awaited the proceedings. The presence of officials of the third rank and above, granted special permission to enter the palace, along with their families, made the occasion exceptionally grand.
Several married princes and princesses stood at the front with their wives.
Prince Yi, Zhao Jingyi, was unusually well-dressed today, but his eyes kept drifting towards Qin Yuti beside him. Qin Yuti, dressed in her princess consort's gown, was dignified and beautiful. However, when their eyes occasionally met, she would quickly look away, secretly pinching his restless hand and whispering, "Behave yourself." Zhao Jingyi winced in pain but dared not make a sound. He could only stand still, grimacing, thinking to himself: "You fierce woman, I'll deal with you when we get back to the manor!" But to onlookers, this "interaction" looked somewhat like the awkward intimacy of newlyweds.
Prince Rui, Zhao Jingming, and Su Wanqing stood side by side, both impeccably courteous. Zhao Jingming's gaze followed the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, carrying sincere blessings, yet also a hint of barely perceptible complexity. Su Wanqing, on the other hand, lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes concealing her emotions. Only when the Crown Princess passed by did she glance up at the more regal wedding dress worn by the Crown Princess, her hand subtly clenching within her sleeve.
Other unmarried princes, such as the Second Prince Huai and the Fifth Prince Yi, were also present. Prince Huai's expression was gentle, conveying his blessings to his elder brother. Prince Yi, on the other hand, had a sharp gaze, scrutinizing the power dynamics of the Eastern Palace displayed at the wedding. Beside them stood several noble ladies awaiting the imperial concubine selection, all looking shy and hesitant, their eyes occasionally glancing at the young princes, each harboring their own calculations.
As the Crown Prince and Crown Princess completed a series of elaborate and solemn ceremonies to the announcer's call, performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows to the Emperor on the high throne, the scene was both solemn and magnificent. The Emperor, looking at his beautiful son and daughter-in-law before him, was overjoyed, his eyes filled with satisfaction and remembrance of the late Empress.
The grand banquet was held in the Guanghua Hall, a scene of clinking glasses and lively singing and dancing. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess sat in the main seats, receiving the congratulations of the court officials. Qin Yuti and Xu Nianchu's eyes occasionally met, both seeing the smiles and concern in each other's eyes. Shen Anci, with his cheerful personality, was not reserved in this setting, chatting and laughing with familiar military families. Liu Mianying sat quietly beside her mother, her beautiful eyes subtly observing everyone present, especially the princes and their female companions, silently assessing the future situation and interpersonal relationships.
Zhao Jingyi was quite at ease in this setting. After a few drinks, he began to reveal his true colors again, trying to whisper something to Qin Yuti. However, Qin Yuti gave him a warning look, so he reluctantly sat back down and went to drink with his third brother, Prince Huai, who was sitting next to him. Qin Yuti, on the other hand, chatted quietly with Su Wanqing and several other princesses and noblewomen. Her demeanor was proper and her responses were natural, which made many people who were secretly observing nod in approval, thinking that this Princess Yi was indeed extraordinary.
The banquet lasted until late at night. Upon leaving the palace, Qin Yuti bid farewell to her sisters once more. This time, Xu Nianchu would be the true Crown Princess, residing deep within the palace, and who knew when they would meet again. Shen Anci hugged Xu Nianchu tightly, and Liu Mianying's eyes also reddened. Xu Nianchu maintained her dignified smile, but the reluctance in her eyes was clearly visible.
On the way back to the manor, Zhao Jingyi noticed that Qin Yuti was somewhat silent. He assumed she was tired and, unusually, didn't make a fuss. He simply pulled her closer to him and awkwardly patted her back, saying, "If you're tired, lean on me for a while."
Qin Yuti didn't struggle. Perhaps it was the atmosphere tonight, or perhaps she was truly tired. She actually leaned on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Zhao Jingyi felt the weight on his shoulder and looked at the moonlight streaming through the window. A strange sense of satisfaction suddenly welled up in his heart.
This extravagant wedding of the crown prince was like a grand drama, with some as protagonists and others as spectators.
But whether they are basking in the glory on stage or harboring different thoughts offstage, it all foreshadows that a new story is about to unfold in every corner of this imperial city.
Meanwhile, the chaotic yet subtly evolving days for Prince Yi and his wife continued.
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